Surfer's Paradise: Where to Watch Mind-Blowing Surfing

Fiji

Surfing is not a spectator sport. The ocean is endlessly fickle. Even days of great waves have long stretches when nothing happens. What’s more, the best surf spots are often impossible to see from shore. The gorgeous pictures and video that you see around belie the difficulty of actually seeing anything comparable in person. Still, there are exceptions—places where it is possible to see mind-blowing surfing. You need to go in the right season, on the right day, and, even then, get a bit lucky.

Pipeline, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

This famous wave breaks shockingly close to the narrow beach—be sure to stay away from the shore break. On a good day it’s utterly spectacular.

The best time and conditions to go: November to March; big north or northwest swell; light trade winds or no wind.

How to get there: Park at Ehukai Beach Park, seven miles northeast of Haleiwa.

Waimea Bay, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

When the swell’s too big for Pipeline, Waimea is the place to be. The bay is the original big-wave coliseum.

The best time and conditions to go: November to March; huge north or northwest swell; light trades or no wind.

How to get there: It's four miles northeast of Haleiwa. The best vantage point is on the rocks toward the point on the north side of the bay.

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